Shelters

The time may arise that you need to evacuate your home to go to a safer place. Hurricane shelters will be available for people who have no other place to go. The best options for our citizens is to go to a relative or friend’s site built home. Those who need to consider evacuation include:

Mobile, manufactured and modular homes and recreational vehicles

Low lying, and flood prone areas

Special needs

Those who do not feel safe by themselves

If you have no choice but to go to a shelter, do not leave your home until officials announce that the shelter is open. Information about shelters that are open in your area will be available through newspapers, television, radio, and Emergency Management. Shelters do not have cots, blankets, or other supplies. You will need to bring your own. Locations can change quickly, so stay informed.

Please bring the following:

Identification such as a driver’s licenses

Bedding (cot, air mattress, blanket, pillow)

Food and water

Prescriptions

Extra baby food or formula

Toiletries (tooth brush and paste, body soap, etc.)

Games or sources of entertainment

If pet friendly, please bring all necessary supplies for your pet

Please DO NOT bring:

Weapons

Illegal drugs

Alcohol

Please remember to check before proceeding to a shelter. Not all shelters are opened during an event. Please call the Citizen Information Line (352-569-3190) to confirm that they are accepting evacuees before going to a shelter.

Evacuation

You might not need to evacuate if you live in a site-built structure, not located in the area subject to flooding. The evacuation order may not apply to you.

If you live in a mobile home, even if it’s well away from the water and tied down, wind could pose a threat to your safety.

If you feel that you must evacuate, please make sure that you do so far enough in advance. Just remember that the Florida Turnpike and I-75 merge in Wildwood, and everyone south of Sumter County will have the same idea as you.

Call 511 Traveler Information System (or visit FL511.com) before you leave, to receive up-to-date traffic information. You can also download the free Florida 511 mobile app, available for iPhone and Android devices.